Water-meter.



No. 869,320. PATENTE'DHGT. 29'. 1907. y

0. F. MERRILL.

- WATER METER. APPLICATION FILED MAB..18.190 7.. 3

a sums-53pm 1.

I, 14, 6? GM,

AT NT OFFICE- CHARLES. F. MERRILL s WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR To UNION WATER METER COMPANY, sn'r'rs.

No. so9,a2o.

' To all whom t'tmay concern:

Be it known that I, Cnanms F. MERRILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the countyof Worcesterand State of ltlassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Water- Meters, of which the following is a specification, reference, being made therein to! the accompanying drawings. I I

' My present invention relates to'certain novel features of constructio n in that class of water-meters,- or

liquidmetering mechanism commonly known as velocity meters or current meters; the prime object .of my invention being to provide an efiicient, compact and conveniently accessible meter mechanism wherein the whirler or meter-wheel is formed with a plurality of series of helically disposed vanes arranged concentric to each other, and combined with an inner casing or cylinder of such construction that the water currents will simultaneously act on said wheel from opposite di- I rections with propelling power, and will thus tend to balance, modify or partially overcome the thrust or endwise pressure of the whirl, while flowing through the mechanism and imparting movement thereto.

Another object is to provide an interior casing of peculiar construction adapted for delivering oppositely directed currents through the whirler or metering wheel;

which casing, together with the wheel-mechanism, can

' be conveniently bodily removed from and replaced in the main casing without disturbingthe wheel-mechan-.

;3.0 ism in respect to said inner casing.

Minor objects and features of r ny invention will beunderstood from the following detailed description and claims.

In tl 1e accompanying drawings, Figure 1' represents a vertical central section (at line S S Fig. 4) of a water-' meter embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2

represents a separate side view of the improved whirler or meter-wheel; a portion beingbroken away to reveal internal structure. Fig. 3 is a separate view of the top end of the wheel. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section at the position of line W W on Fig. 7; Fig. 5 a horizontal section at line X-X, and Fig. 6 a horizontal section at line Y Y; Fig. 7 atransverse sectional view representing the main casing in vertical section, and "showing the exterior of the inner casing or cylinder in front view.

' Fig. Sis a fragmentary vertical section through one side of the meter-wheel and cylinder, drawn on somewhat mechanism,'and the means for supporting the train of reducing gearing G that transmits the-power and 7 f Specification of Ietters Patent.

. Ni-mi, 5M arms 18. 1907, Serial No. 362.838.

. said inner vanes; and an outer series of vanes 5 arranged below the hub and ends of the vanes; and the extended l OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSAQHU- 1 WATER-manna.

' Iatented Oct. 29,

tion from. the meter-wheelspindle to the registel' fl mechanism. V In accordance with my invention'the shellfor'main casing 10 is provided with three internal horizontal partitions extending inward irom .the shell; an upper partition 12, a central partition I3 and a lower partition 14', each having a suitable opening for accommodating j the inner casing or cylinder 15 within which the whirler or meter-wheel D is supported to rotate, in the peculiar manner moreffully hereinafter explained. The central horizontal partition 13 is integrally joined with the upper partition 12, on theinlet side; by the upright wall 16; and at the outlet side is joined with the lower 1 horizontal. partition 14 by the upright wall 17; thus dividing the interior of the shell or casing in a manner to provide upper and lower inlet chambers or water-,

fwa'ys A and A, and upper and lower. outlet chambers or water-ways B and B; the lower outlet chamber communicating with the outlet spud "through thep'as.

ably arranged within the casing-as shown.-

The whirler'or meter-wheel D comprises two series of helical vanes; the vanes in the separate series being concentrically disposed and formed with thetrend-of their helical pitch in opposite directions. Said a wheel sage B.- A strainer F and ante-chamber Bare preferis best" made with a nietal shaft 4 and a body of hard rubber, or similar material, rigid-1y secured thereon. The wheel consists of a hub portion'l; an inner series of helical vanes 2; a' cylindric barrier 3 surrpundingabout the exterior of the barrier which separates the annular series of vanes and intervening water-way spaces, one series frdin the other. (See Figs.2 and The ends of the barrier are best'extended aboveand-i portions are preferably beveled on the inner side at the upper end of the wheel, and at the outer side at the lower endoithe wheel, to non-contactinglymatch and cooperate with the circular directing lips or adjacent portions of the funnel ends of the inner casing; the lips; and barrier.

The vanes in the respective series-may, for ordinary -'se rvice, be of the same helical pitch; but for instanceswhere there is wide variation in the quantity of fiowage through the meters, I- prefer to make the helicalvanes in the respective series'oi different pitch, as such differ ence serves to overcome the tendency of the meteringwheel to gain, or measure in excess, when acting under ,two parts, fitting together with an annular joint or 5 I nges being lapped by each other, as; shown in Figs 1 and 8.

ange 8 at the center of its length, I by tending circular lips-7 and 9 that respectively adjabars. The water or liquid from the chamber A. canflow into contact with .the outer series of vanes 5, when" it passes to thechamber B; while the open ends of the cylinder afford passage for the'watcr through the inner series ofyanes 2 on its way from the upper chamber A to the lower chamber BK" The water flows in the direc-- tion indicated by the arrows on Fig. 1.

'Bearing' sleeves or boxes 20 and 21'for the upper and lower-ends of the meter wheel shaft 4 are formed integral with the cylinder sections, and are joined thereto" by fiat, radial arms 19 and 22 that extend across the water-way. These arms serve as directing guides for the liquid, as it passes from andto the wheel, so that the main current will flow in an approximately direct "course and exert its force on the vanes for-revolving the whirler or meter-wheel D with a speed proportionate to s the velocity of the flowing current.

Eli)

Thefiange joint'8 at the (ienter of the inner case cyl inder'is'inade to externally fit, the opening in the central partition"13.' The lower and upper ends ofsaid cylincler areformed with joint surfaces at 23 and 24 to" match the partitions; preferably a conoidallybevelcd edge or joint, as shown. A ring or annulus 25, threaded it its periphery 26, is fitted into the opening in the upper-partition 12 matching the joint surface 24 at the up; per end oi the cylinder, so'that when screwed intothe opening said annulus holds the inner casing or cylinder securely in. place within the main casing. Said annuhis "is best provided with lugs or 1neans 2-7 to facilitate turningit when screwing it into and from position. If

in' any instance desired other means may be employed iii lieu of th'e'threaded peripheral edge 26 for securing the annulus and inner casing inlposition; The upper bearing sleeve 20 is rounded at its top as shown, so as to guard the end of the wheel-hub and form an easy dirccting course for the water into the inner series of vanes 2.

i The lower end of the wheel spindle rests on an adjustable step bearing 28, and its upper end is connected with-the main shaft of the reducing gear by an interlocking joint 30 which permits of'the cap and gearing being readily removed and replacedwithout disturbing casing can be removed from the-main casing without disturbing thewheel within said casing, by simply unscrewing the annulus 25; and when saidannulus 'is re-vv moved the'cylinder and wheel mechanism canbe lifted out and replaced without inconvenience. 1

the operation,'the water from chamber/A flows];

down through the wheel to the chamber; B", acting on .th'e innerseries of vanes. -At the same-time another rip-through- 'whellandto counterac or oiie'rcomeithepre'ssnre the downward flowggactingoiifthe innr series The two series of vanes can be made 1J1 proper proporpatentedli n' which two wheels separatelysupported upon a single shaft, are shown; the flow of water for the respective wheels being from opposite ends ofthe wheel-'inclosing casing to a centralchamber. I am also aware that helical-vaned-jwheels' are common in mevters. It wilP therefore be understood that I,- do not broadly claim such prior r'remstructive featur s as of m invention. 9

What I claim is 1. In a water-meter of the class described, the combination of a mainxneter-c asir; or shell provided with inlet and outlet spnds. and having internallythe npper, middle unzl lowerhorizontal partitions. said upper and middle partitions ,nnited'bv an integralwall'aci-oss the inlet side, 'said lower and middle'pnrtitions united by a wall sine outlet side, an inner-casing fitted within openin the several partitions. a meter-wheel provided with =1 plurality of concentrically arranged annular series of helical vanes. the vanes gof the respective series disposed w th opposite inclination, and having a separating barrier between the-series, the mid-portions of said inner-casing snrroundinrr tbe outer-series of vanes, its end sections forming directing funnels i n alinement with said barrier,

bearings forsupporting the meter-wheel axle within said funnels, and means for securing said inner casing within tire main casing. i v

2. In'a water-meter of .the class described, a meter-casin; having inlet and outlet spuds, and provided with intcrnnl partitions separating-the interiorinto two inflowchambers and two outflow-chambers, a meter-wheel com-- prising two separated concentric series of helical vanes, said-vanes oppositely inclined in the respective'series, an I inner casing arranged through the several partitions and sun-ounding the periphery 'of *said wheel, and having end sections that coincide with tlle'idivlding barrier between the series of values. bearings for said meter-wheel, and water-ways in said inner cas ingnfor simultaneously deliv-. ering currents from the respective inflow-chambers through said meter-wheel in opposite directions.

3. In a water-n1eter of the class described, a meterwheel comprising an axis spindle and awheel-body mounted thereon having two differently diametered series of inclined vanes and water-ways concentrically disposed one' series within tlie circle of the other about said body; the vanes of the two .series terminating in approximately the same plane at the ends of the body, in' combination with means for directing portions of themetered current.

end of the body. t"

'4. Ida current water-meter of the class, described, a

v "meter-wheel comprising a body or hub provided with a the wheel and inner cas ng. '-When desired the. inner plurality of series of helically-disposed vanes arranged concentrically about said body, and having the vanes of the separate series formed with different helical pitch, for the purpose set'fortb'."

5. In a water-meter of the class describeda meter-- wheel comprising an outer series and an inner series 011 helical vanes, and having a cylindric barrier between'the tW0 series of vanes separating the annular spaces occupied by the respective series.

6. In a waterrneter of thaclass described, a meteropposltely directed, concentrically arranged series of, hell whclicomprising -two"'concentric series of-he1lcal vanes "wheel comprising an axis-spindle, a hub thereon with two cal vanes. anda c'oncentriccyllndric wall or b'zilrier separating the twoseri'es of vanes, the ends of said barrier extending as a circular-flange beyond the ends ofthe hub and Z. ln-a' wat'er mleter of theclnss described, a meter separated by a barrier or partition between the series, the helical trend of the vanes 'belng in opposite direction slid of dilferent pitch in the respective series; in combination with means for directing two cnrrcntsot \ynter through 5 the wheel toimpinge in opposite directions upon the vanes oi the respective series.' I

- 8. In a wate'nmeter of the class described, the combination. of a nieter wheel provided with cylindrical end flanges; in combination with a wheel-casing provided with inwardly directcdjend sections having lips that 'conct with said flanges for dividing the currents, the adjacent edges of said lips and flatnges being beveled and non-contnctinglylapped by each other, substantially as set forth.

9. In a Water-meter of'the clnss described. a rnetcrwheel comprising-nn axis-spindle, n body-huh carrying two-oppositely directed k eoncentrically arranged series of he]icnll'ydlspos'ed 'vhnes, 1i cylindric barrier separating said series 6-r. vanes and projecting heyond the ends of the llOdYJlllba wheetcusing comprising a'cylindrical midsection surrounding the outer series of vanes, and upper and lower end-section s with circular lips that ndjucently imalch. without contact, the ends ofsaid barrier, means -connecting the mld'rsection and end-sections, nnd'having openings or waterways bctwensdid-ponhecting means, and annular spaces between the sections; and join-nah hearings for the axisspindle concentric with said end-secthins;v j v v 110..In a water-meter of the character described. in com binntion ivith the meter-Wheel having an axis-spindle, and peripheral series of vanes; a Wheel-raising cylinder formed in two parts with an annular connecting joint intermedia l in its length, a funnel-shaped end-section" on each parthaving a circular inward lip, n concentrichearingsleeve :it each end for supporting the axis-spindle, and radial ticn und'serving as directing guides for the current,

uriusrnnnectinp; snid hearing-sleeve with the funnel sec-- ing comprising inwnrdly arranged lips for separating and 1 directing the water currents in combination with a meter-whcel having two series of vanes; and an axis-spindle with projecting journals that are respectively mounted in hearing sleeves. I 1 1:2. in ii wr ter nie'ter of the class described, the comliination with the meter-wheel, and the main meter-casing. provided with internal partitions as specified ot the inner' casing provided with jointsnrfaces at its respective ends, and an intermediate joint-surface, f0' matching with the severnl partitions, and the securing annulus for retaining; snidinner casing within the main meterensing, subs-trim tinlly set forth.

0. In :1 \vzi'tcr me'cer of the class described, the combinntion with the meter-wheel having the series of helical runes, and'the main meter-casing having internal hori zontal pnrtitions arranged therein substantially as shown;

of the inner or wheel-casing provided with a circumferential joint-flange. and having; conoldaliy beveled ends, a

sent within the main casing matching the lowcnend'of said inner casing, and an inwardly rounded annulus. having an inner edge-surface fitted to match against the upper end of the inner-casing, and an outer-edge threaded into thelupper partition Within the meter-casing for securing the inner casing in position. i v Witness my hand this 14th day otMarch; 1907.

cHARnns. F. ERRILL. Witnesses Ones. H. Bunnnioii, H ELLA P. Bnnnus. V 

